Another quest to try and win the English Premier League title will soon begin for Manchester United who have not won the league title since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013.
After one year out of Europe’s prestigious competition- the UEFA Champions League, Eric Ten Hag guided the Red Devils back to the Champions League after they finished third on the English Premier League log last season. He also won United’s first trophy since 2017 – the Carabao Cup after defeating Newcastle in the final at Wembley.
They will start this season planning to close the gap on both Champions Manchester City and Arsenal who finished fifteen and nine points respectively above them.
Pre-season
United haven’t had a convincing pre-season as they only won four of their eight games. They beat Leeds 2-0 at the start of the preseason before doing the same to Lyon and Arsenal in a space of one week.
But after those games, they were subjected to three consecutive losses in USA by Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
They then returned to winning ways last weekend when they came from behind to beat Lens 3-1 before drawing 1-1 against Bilbao on Sunday.
Overall, their pre-season hasn’t been something to admire as they have struggled to create and finish off chances
Transfer Activity
Just like the last two transfer windows, United have splashed money to bring in a couple of players to strengthen their squad in order to compete favourably. They have so far brought in three new players for huge sums. Mason Mount was the first in from Chelsea for a fee that rises to £65m, goalkeeper Andre Onana followed suit as he was captured from Inter Milan for £47.2m while Striker Rasmus Hojlund is the latest addition as his £64 million transfer fee from Atalanta could rise to £72m based on performance-related clauses in the deal
Onana replaces David De Gea in the United goal while Hojlund will help the Red Devils upfront as they lacked a target person who could finish off their chances apart from Marcus Rashford.
They have also been linked with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, who is rumoured to be open to the move, but in order for that move to happen, United have to sell Fred and Scott McTominay
Another position United have to strengthen is central defense. They need another body there in case of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez injuries or suspension. This defence cost United last season; Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire were not capable of filling the void that was left games where Martinez and Varane were absent
What to expect in the upcoming season
Manchester United will again start the season looking for their first EPL trophy since Ferguson left and they are expected to try to challenge their City rivals and serial winners, Manchester City and Arsenal for the title.
Apart from City and Arsenal, United will also need to worry about the rest of the Big 6 who have all strengthened their squads ahead of the new season.
Rashford is expected to remain United’s star player. The forward looked sharp in the games that he played in Pre season.
Key fixtures
Man United will begin their 2023-24 Premier League campaign at home to Wolves on August 14 before travelling to Tottenham Hotspurs for their first game against a “Big 6” almost a week later.
In September, they will have a small matter to settle with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on September 3rd before playing Brighton and Hove Albion seeking to avenge their two league losses last season.
Their next challenging game will happen on 28th October at Old Trafford when they host Manchester City in the first Manchester derby of the season. The matches against Chelsea and Liverpool will come in December as the first round edges to a climax.
Just like in the first round, Spurs will be the first “Big 6” side United play in the second round. That game will be on January 13th, before games against City, Chelsea and Liverpool come in March and April.
The second round match between Arsenal and United will come in May when the league is left with just one game to close.
